When you are pregnant:

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• If you are in active labour and over 37 wks: 

  • if this is your first labour, when contractions are 3 mins apart from the start of one contraction to the start of the next, 60 secs long, and that has been going on for 1 hr. 

  • If you’ve given birth before, when contractions are 4 mins apart. 

• If you have any vaginal bleeding. It is normal to have spotting after there is anything in your vagina (eg. sex or or an internal exam). ‘Bloody show’ is mucous with streaks of blood in it – this is normal during labour and late in pregnancy – no need to page if this happens.

• Signs of preterm labour: regular cramping prior to 37 wks, increasing in intensity and frequency.

• If you experience a gush of fluid from the vagina: it could be your amniotic sac breaking. You won’t be able to control it, and it will continue to gush/leak especially when you move. Wear a pad and keep it to show your midwife.

• Reduced fetal movement after 28 wks: Lay down somewhere quiet (no phone, no TV). You should feel 6 movements in 2 hours. If you don’t, please page.

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After your baby is born:

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• If you or your baby have a temp over 38.0 C: If the baby is over-bundled or dressed too warmly, undress your baby, check temperature again in 20-30 minutes.

• Bleeding: it is normal to continue bleeding even up to 6 weeks postpartum, but if you soak a large pad in one hour or less, or have more gushes after you pass a clot, please page right away. It is normal to pass one clot even up to the size of an orange, especially when you have been lying down, but bleeding should not continue after a clot has passed.

• Breathing: Babies breathe very irregularly. If your baby is breathing very quickly (over 60 breathes per minute – please count for a whole minute), or is moaning, please page.

• Breastfeeding: If your baby is not actively feeding 8-10 times in 24 hrs, or you are having problems latching, please page.